The Mouse That Jack Built (1959)

Warner Bros.
Starring:
 Jack Benny, Mary Livingston
Directed by: Robert McKimson

Cat Out of the Bag Alert!  This review contains some spoilers for this film!

Synopsis: A mouse-version of the popular Jack Benny radio and television program.

Cartoon Cat: A black and white cat is seen sitting outside the mousehole in Jack Benny’s house.  The cat is wearing earmuffs to block out the sound of the bad violin music coming from inside the hole.

The Mouse That Jack Built - cartoon cat waiting outside mousehole with earmuffs on

Later after Mary arrives, the cat overhears Jack trying to get out of taking her out to someplace expensive.

The Mouse That Jack Built - cartoon cat waiting outside mousehole looks worried

Worried that they won’t leave the mousehole, the cat comes up with a plan.

The Mouse That Jack Built - cartoon cat waiting outside mousehole gets plan

The cat scribbles a note and throws it into the mousehole.  It is an announcement about a cheap new establishment called the Kit Kat Klub.  Jack says he’ll take Mary there.

The Mouse That Jack Built - cartoon cat waiting outside mousehole scribbles on paper

Rochester drives them in Jack’s Maxwell and they arrive at the club, which is the cat with an awning over its face.

The Mouse That Jack Built - cartoon cat posing as Kit Kat Club

The Mouse That Jack Built - cartoon cat posing as Kit Kat Club from side

Jack comments on how they are rolling out the red carpet as the cat unfurls its tongue for them.  The cat’s mouth is furnished with some tables but Jack and Mary soon realize they are trapped inside a real cat!

The Mouse That Jack Built - cartoon cat posing as Kit Kat Club rolls out tongue

Kitty Cameo: At the end of the short, the real Jack Benny is seen having a nightmare.  He comments about how strange it was he should dream of himself and Mary as mice trapped inside a cat.  He then hears a violin playing a lullaby and looks down to see a cat sleeping on a mat nearby.

The Mouse That Jack Built - real cat sleeping on round carpet

A close up of the sleeping cat’s face is seen (drawn over to allow for animation to be added) and the cartoon mouse versions of Jack and Mary emerge from the cat’s mouth and then scurry away.

The Mouse That Jack Built - mice versions of Jack Benny and Mary Livingston escape from cat's mouth animated gif

Final Mewsings: Your cheese or your life!


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